05/28/2012

Today, who doesn't love Ryder Hesjedal?

No surprise that everyone wants a piece of Ryder Hesjedal, after he became the first Canadian to win the Giro d'Italia. The Canadian sports community loves him. The prime minister loves him. I expect a press release from the Governor General's office any time now.

The one emailed press release I got today that did make me laugh was from the California-based Heart Rate Watch Company, which markets products for the Garmin half of Hesjedal's team, Garmin-Barracuda. This attempt to get a piece of Hesjedal congratulated "Hesjadal," and referred to the cyclist elsewhere on the site as Hesjadel and Hesjedal. (Surely, one of them is right...)

Truth be known, I suspect few Canadians (or Americans) have ever even heard of the Giro, one of the Big Three European endurance road races. European Grand Tour cycling really only seemed to make mainstream North American headlines as long as Lance Armstrong was in the Tour de France, and he stayed away from the Giro and the last of the big three, the Vuelta a Espana.

Among the Tour de France fans I know, many are so ticked off at the doping violations and accusations of recent years that they very nearly want to have nothing to do with major pro tour cycling.

Hesjedal will change that, especially if he chooses to ride in the Tour de France, which kicks off Saturday, June 30. One might wonder if Hesjedal has enough gas in his tank for Le Tour AND the London Olympics, which begin July 27. Which ever path he chooses, you can bet this will raise the pro cycling interest of Canadians.

I hope he does have enough "gas" for the Tour de France and chooses to put his focus there. Should he be able to turn it on like he did in Italy, what a race it will be.
Congratulations to him on his Giro win - it was something special to watch, and best wishes for the rest of his season.
No matter what, it will be fun to watch.